WHEN THE lights go up on September 19, the University of Santo Tomas will not only raise the curtain for UAAP Season 88.
It will also showcase a celebration crafted by a triumvirate of Artlets who know the soul of the campus by heart.
Heading the production force is Fr. Jeffrey Aytona, who will be joined by opening program director Marvin Rellamas and Frank Lloyd Mamaril, who will oversee broadcast coverage.
All three are graduates of UST’s Communication Arts program.
“The flow of the program is all about execution. That’s where we focus — we want it seamless and as creative as possible,” Aytona told The Flame.
According to Aytona, the planning for the opening ceremony began as early as October last year.
“Since that time, I told Fr. Rodel [Cansancio] that I needed to prepare early because I’m based in Caleruega and not here in UST. The key is choosing the right people… when I took over, we immediately started working,” he said.
For him, hosting the UAAP opening inside UST was not just a mere coincidence; it was destiny.
“It’s not a coincidence that big venues were full. I believe it’s part of destiny that the opening is here. We have a beautiful campus… not just beautiful, but historical. These structures are national cultural treasures — that alone is a statement,” he said.
Unlike any other UAAP host, UST wants to share its traditions in an immersive experience for the league’s community.
“When we started planning, we knew we had to give the best of UST. This is our home, and our culture is something to share,” Rellamas said.
According to Aytona, the opening ceremony, from manpower and logistics to performances, will be a showcase of Thomasian talent.
“What amazed us was how many talented Thomasians wanted to help. Alumni, students — they all said yes. It’s inspiring when you work with people who truly love the university,” he added.
One of the ceremony’s most symbolic moments will feature “Eight Icons of Hope,” a group of distinguished Thomasian alumni from fields like business, media, religion and medicine who will be marching as flag bearers.
Behind the scenes, the trio worked tirelessly for nearly a year. Each meeting was a blend of creativity and strategy, every rehearsal a step closer to what Rellamas calls a “Thomasian tradition on steroids.”
“Ang ginawa namin, parang in-steroids namin yung Thomasian tradition — mas pinalaki, mas pina-engrande. Kasi usually, Paskuhan para lang sa mga Thomasians, pero this time, gusto naming i-share yung spirit na ‘yon sa lahat,” he added.
(We’re giving UAAP guests a taste of our culture, Paskuhan-inspired energy, but on a bigger scale)
The opening ceremony will be capped by a fireworks display synchronized with music, curated for its youthful and modern appeal while staying rooted in UST heritage.
“Paskuhan was one of our inspirations. When you host, you serve the best you can, you showcase UST’s best traditions and experiences. We took elements from those and integrated them into the program,” Aytona said.
For these Artlets alumni, the UAAP opening is a celebration of what makes UST unique — history, artistry and people.
“When the task was given to me, I knew it was going to be huge, but that’s the beauty of it,” Aytona said.
“Working with a team that shares the same passion, the process, the challenges, the excitement… it’s all worth it.” F
